The sponsorship will include programs with 12 teams and programs throughout the league.

MeatPoultry.com,
3/3/2014

by Meat&Poultry staff

DENVER & NEW YORK – Chipotle Mexican Grill will be the Official Fast-Casual Mexican Restaurant of Major League Soccer (MLS) and 12 MLS Clubs. This sponsorship will be Chipotle’s largest single sports partnership and will feature promotional programs with 12 teams, individual players and programs throughout the entire league.

“At the core of our effort to change the way people think about and eat fast-food is our commitment to finding better, more sustainable sources for all of the ingredients we use,” said Mark Crumpacker, Chipotle’s chief marketing and development officer. “That value is one that is often shared by people with an active lifestyle. This partnership with MLS will allow us to further engage consumers in a sport we have long supported through grassroots efforts.”

Chipotle will work with MLS and the 12 clubs throughout the 2014 season by executing unique promotions and activations to reach MLS fans across the country. During the AT&T MLS All-Star Week in August, Chipotle will also sponsor the inaugural Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game featuring the nation’s top Homegrown players from MLS Club rosters. Homegrown players from across the league will be chosen by MLS to participate in the game.

Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy Defender, two-time MLS Cup Champion and member of the U.S. Men's National Team, will represent MLS as the spokesperson for the partnership with Chipotle. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Chipotle is an incredible brand and has truly embraced MLS’ aspirational position for millions of youth soccer players,” said David Wright, senior vice president of global sponsorship for MLS. “We love the idea of the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game and we look forward to Chipotle playing an important role in continuing to grow the sport of soccer in this country for years to come.”

Chipotle will also feature an exceptional athlete, boy or girl, during 10 home games per MLS Club as the Chipotle Youth Homegrown Athlete. Each athlete will receive four tickets to the game, special recognition during the game, a chance to meet players and coaches, dinner at Chipotle with his/her team, and the opportunity to host a fundraiser for his/her team at their favorite Chipotle location. Chipotle and each MLS Club will also host free soccer clinics for up to 200 kids utilizing MLS players and coaches to teach soccer fundamentals.

Two-time MLS Cup champion and prominent member of the US Men’s National Team, Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy Defender, will represent MLS as the first spokesperson of this unique partnership. Gonzalez will play a vital role in the Homegrown campaign from being featured in anthem and skills videos to promoting the partnership on his social media channels.

Chipotle will host a March to Soccer promotion in the 12 MLS markets to celebrate the beginning of the MLS season. Soccer fans who come to Chipotle wearing their local MLS Club gear on the date of the team’s home opener can receive a buy-one-get-one deal. The dates and markets for Chipotle’s March to Soccer events are: FC Dallas, March 8; Houston Dynamo, March 8; LA Galaxy, March 8; Portland Timbers, March 8; Seattle Sounders FC, March 8; San Jose Earthquakes, March 11; Philadelphia Union, March 15; Sporting Kansas City, March 15; Colorado Rapids, March 22’ Columbus Crew, March 22; New England Revolution, March 22; and the Chicago Fire, March 23.